How to Test for Water Repellency

Introdução

Wondering if your jacket’s durable water repellent (DWR) coating is still doing its job? This guide will show you how to check whether your gear is still repelling water or if it's time to reapply the DWR. A quick test can save you from a soggy surprise on your next adventure!

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Caring for Water-Resistant Gear

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O que você precisa

Passo 1 Spray the jacket with water

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Lay your jacket on a table or other flat, smooth surface.
Spray the jacket with water.
It can be beneficial to focus the spray on a high-exposure area like the shoulders and sleeves, where the DWR is more likely to be worn away.

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Passo 2 Water absorbs into the fabric

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How to Test for Water Repellency, Water absorbs into the fabric: passo 2, imagem 2 %32

Observe the water.
If the water sinks in and absorbs into the material, your jacket is "wetting out" and needs to have the durable water repellent (DWR) coating reapplied.

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Passo 3 Water rolls off the fabric

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If the water beads up, staying on the outside of the garment like dew drops, your jacket's DWR is working well and doesn't need to be reapplied.
Water droplets should roll right off the jacket when you pick it up.

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